Keeping Cool In Your Mobile Home With A Thermostat

There is a wide variety of thermostats to choose from, and many heating and cooling systems come with a thermostat. However, you may just need to replace your old thermostat. The two main types are manual and digital.

Manual Thermostats

A manual thermostat is just that: manual. To adjust these you move the controls yourself and set your ideal temperature for heating or cooling. The sensors inside the thermostat will turn on and keep the unit running until the desired temperature has been reached. After this, the unit will shut off. Thermostats have made great strides in technology and now we will look at the digital thermostat.

Digital Thermostats

Digital thermostats show readouts of the current temperature and the controls are button style, where you adjust up or down with buttons. Some of the more advanced models are programmable. Thus, if you would like the thermostat to shut off or kick on at certain times, you can program it to do just that.

Compatibility

Naturally, you will have to check your wiring to ensure that the thermostat you select for your mobile home is compatible with the wiring, or you may have to have additional wiring installed.

Need or Want?

Obviously, if your thermostat is no longer working, then you need a new one. The question is this: Will your replacement be just according to the need at hand, or will it be something fancy that you may want but not exactly need? This is the question you need to ask yourself before buying a new thermostat. While it is not necessary to have a programmable, digitally controlled thermostat, it can be a plus in the energy saving department, not to mention the convenience of being able to set your thermostat and walk away, not having to bother with resetting again. Many digital models feature a backlight that illuminates the faceplate, making the temperature easier to read.

Further Technological Advances

In addition to the already known and trusted brands available, such as General Electric, LG, Honeywell, and Nordyne, which has received Energy Star approval on some models like the 103013 Digital T-Stat Heat & Cool, there are other thermostats that have ventured beyond the normal technology needed, with a lot of really interesting features. Two of these brands are Nest and Venstar. Let us look at each of those for a moment.

Nest

The Nest Learning Thermostat (yes, you read that correctly, learning) is a digital marvel, and their company claims that their system can learn from you. It is self-programmable within 1 week of installment. Installation itself is claimed to be very easy in that it takes most people less than a half hour to do the job, comparing it to installing a lighting fixture. Based on answers put into the system, Nest "learns" when you adjust normally, can have set temperatures for separate rooms, and even has sensors that can tell when you are out and thus turning the heat or cooling down when the house is empty. Nest also gives you reports on your energy usage history, helping you to save more. As if all this was not enough, you can also control nest via online or smartphone. Any adjustments made to the settings take effect immediately. A very fancy system indeed, with numerous details and options for about $250.

Venstar

Venstar is another of the high tech thermostats on the market and retails for about $300, with available options. Their ColorTouch system has availability for wi-fi through Skyport Cloud Services, giving you the power to operate, adjust, and monitor your system away from home. It has background picture options on the control panel, and connectivity to weather reports, all on a touchscreen. It is fully programmable, with scheduling for every day of the year. It also has security locks, which prohibit changing settings by unauthorized users. Venstar has simpler models available, both wired and wireless with remote control.

Shopping Around

It is always advised that you shop around when looking to replace your thermostat. You should factor in several criteria including cost, compatibility, necessity, functionality, conservation ability, and desirability. Figure out which features you need and/or want, then make your selection based on what would be compatible with the wiring in your mobile home. You may not need some of the fancier models with all the bells and whistles, but if you want them and can afford it, then go all out if you wish. Whether you are looking for manual, digital, programmable or non-programmable, be it wired or wireless, check out all your available options before deciding which thermostat to buy. Another factor to consider is whether you will be able to install it yourself, or have a technician do the job for you. In addition, some thermostats will have to be level before being installed, while others do not have to be perfectly level to function properly.

Conclusion

A thermostat is a very important piece of equipment to have. Having the right one is even more important. Ideally, you will want a balance between function and conservation. Many brands and models have energy-saving features, but they will only work if you set them properly and use them. Some of the more advanced thermostats will take care of these matters for you due to their technology, or the wireless connections to the system will allow you to monitor your thermostat's use and programming. It gets hot in the summer, especially in mobile homes. It is important to keep cool in the summer, so shop around, get informed, and get your new thermostat installed based on your needs and budget.

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